Independent Audit and Disclosure.
To provide full public accountability concerning the uses to which funds from the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 are put, and to ensure full compliance with the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016:
(a) The nonpartisan California State Auditor shall conduct at least biennially an independent financial audit of the state and local agencies receiving funds pursuant to the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016. An audit conducted pursuant to this section shall include, but not be limited to, a review of the administrative costs expended by the state agencies that administer the fund.
(b) Based on the independent audit, the nonpartisan California State Auditor shall prepare a report detailing its review and include any recommendations for improvements. The report shall be made available to the public.
(c) Each state agency and department receiving funds pursuant to this act shall, on an annual basis, publish on its respective Internet Web site an accounting of how much money was received from the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016 Fund and how that money was spent. The annual accounting shall also be posted on any social media outlets the state agency or department deems appropriate.
(d) The use of the funds received by the State Department of Health Care Services pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 30130.55 shall be subject to the same restrictions, including, but not limited to, audits and prevention of fraud, imposed by existing law.
(e) The use of the funds received by the State Department of Public Health, the State Department of Education, and the University of California pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 30130.55 shall be subject to oversight by the Tobacco Education and Research Oversight Committee pursuant to Sections 104365 and 104370 of the Health and Safety Code.
(Added November 8, 2016, by initiative Proposition 56, Sec. 4.1.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018